Well they are not normal Mbuna. I read they are found in groups of 3 to 7 in the sandy areas near tree trunks or branches. I guess a fully all action Mbuna tank with scratchy rocks and stuff like Pseudotropheus demasoni is sometimes too much for them to cope with.

Treating skin parasite problems
Fortunately, numerous over-the-counter remedies are available.Ã‚Â Most types of skin parasite have life cycles that include free-living stages in the water or substrate Ã¢â‚¬â€

Usually I think ich treatments treat velvet too, though I have read that copper treatment is the best for velvet. If you can get chelated instead of ionic, that is better. Mardel coppersafe is one I have used in the past. It is non-staining and the fish don't seem as bothered by it as some of the other protozoan parasite treatments I've used.

My ACEI's did the same thing when I brought them home fro mthe LFS. That is when my ICH outbreak happened and 7 of them died. My LAbs were not affected. After 10 days of treatment (salt/high heat) the 4 that are still living are prospering and all the Labs have made it through as well.